This creature is growing in my, I use the term loosely, yard.

I love the usual orange Bird of Paradise that grows all over out here. But THIS is something else. These plants are huge, 10' maybe, and the blooms are also very large. The Humming Birds love them, they are sticky with nectar. They look purple in this photo but they look black and white in person. Can't stop looking at them. Who knows what they are?

A gift!

So many things can be a gift and the best ones are the surprises. The other day the Husband brought home the mail from our old box and there was a copy of the Summer edition of Art Journaling Magazine from Stampington & Company. They have so graciously published my work several times in the past 2 years and always send a copy of the issue my work appeared in. But I have not   sent anything in many months. Opened the envelope to find the customary note that says "Congratulations, you've been published". And sure enough, there is a blurb on techniques showing the journal page that they actually used for the cover of a previous issue. I was especially happy because that is one of my favorite images.

I am always thrilled to be included in their publications. They are, in themselves, works of art. An honor to be included among such talented artists. So, get yourself a copy. It is filled with techniques, ideas and eye candy.

Here's what I'm thinking; I need to remember that my intentions, my work and my path are always supported. I am grateful. I just have to pay attention and check the mail more often!

Baltimore Catechism

 Q. What is a Sacrament?

A. A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.

Q. What grace do the Sacraments give?

A. Some of the Sacraments give sanctifying grace, and others increase it in our souls.

My Sacrament.

This is how I

sprinkle water, 

confess impure thoughts, 

break bread, 

speak truth,

pledge troth, 

consecrate effort 

and face eternity.

no threats of exclusion

no special rooms

no golden cups,

no slapped cheeks, 

no binding,

no impossible promises,

no threat of damnation.

This is how I

bring myself to grace, 

forgive my faults,

consume what is holy,

take a stand, 

give myself,

minister as I feel called, 

and this is how I pray to pass,

with a smooth gliding pen 

and a painted page to inscribe.

lm 7/8/2013

Ortega Hwy to Temecula Wine Country

Today was in the 70's and sunny; a perfect day for an adventure. We have not been doing as much exploring from our new base station here at the beach as we would like and decided to hit the road this afternoon.

Temecula California has become a contender in the Wine Country game and while we have cruised through the area, we have never visited the wineries. We chose the scenic route, a twisty 2 lane road that winds through the Santiago mountains. Just the thing to cure our longing for the kind of scenery we were so used to at the ranch.

                                      Heading out on Ortega Highway

I love the variety of formations in the California mountains. And the guy driving is OK too!

Lake Elsinore 

Temecula Wine Country

Temecula wine! 

Got 2 tastings at Thornton Winery, A Taste of Chocolate (heavenly) and one I'd never heard of before, Nebbiolo (not bad, not remarkable).

Brie in pastry with candied walnuts and honey glaze. Lucky husband, got to eat all the walnuts. I am suddenly allergic to them!

Where the magic happens. I love this photo, trees all leaning to the right, near vertical

rows of grapes and horizontal utility lines.

Lake Elsinore on the way home. It's a pretty big lake and I wanted a better shot than I got on the way out. We stopped at a lookout and I got out of the car. The wind was crazy blowing and the dirt was flying. I still have sand in my hair! I feared for my camera lens so this is all I got.

Back on the beautiful Ortega. It looks so much

 like the drive up to the ranch. 

I took about 20 rapid fire shots of Old Glory billowing in the breeze to get this image. I thought it appropriate for Memorial Day.

Here's what I'm thinking: A beautiful day like today feeds my soul, reminds me how much I care for my partner of 48 years, inspires me to count my blessings and reminds me how beautiful this country is. 

Watching Old Glory dancing in the wind I found myself choking up. Thinking of everything that flag has seen in her more than 200 years, I decided to hang onto my faith in my fellow Americans. Long may she wave over a land of peace, prosperity, freedom and justice for all. 

Look what I did this afternoon

My daughter, Laura Bray, adopted a red tail hawk for me from a bird rescue and today I got to release him back into the skies. What an amazing experience. I have a thing for red tails I think because I spent so much time with them at the ranch. Thank you so much Katie ( that's what I call her), I will never forget this.

Here's what I'm thinking: The mystery lives, right here among us. Nameste

Spring has sprung...

at least here in SoCal! It's 60's and 70's, foggy and cloudy, but when the sun does peek out it's fabulous!

Been keeping busy with the new adventures.

 Remember this?

Several weeks ago, the amazing Charlotte Backman, my painting guru, invited a Tibetian Monk to teach us to paint these amazing works? Well, I began to think of my piece as the never-ending painting.

But, at last, I see progress. I have been working on it but not really seeing progress until yesterday!

I think I may actually finish. I have never made anything this complex. Working on this has taught me a lot about painting and about my self.

I have also been enjoying the company of my new writing friends. Something is really going on with me these days and I am creating up a storm. Here are a few recent works.

The Answers

are not

in the moment.

Revelation

shuns the 

present.

Fashionably late

Clarity arrives

the day after.

lm 2/2013

Mourning Brew

I find you 

in the coffee

I am spooning 

into the pot

it is an electric coffee maker

not a stove-top percolator

and you are a memory

not a strong hug

and dancing eyes.

lm 3/201

Nyctogenous 

Riding heavy and low

in the blue-black sky,

the midnight moon marks 

the estrus of shadow.

Close your eyes,

open your mind.

Breath in the

fecundity of the night.

So often the beautiful

and promising Dark

is faulted for the weakness

of those with no imagination.

The ones gifted with the magic

see the nocturnal plane 

resplendent with cardinal life; 

feral, timeless and powerful.

Here, the ancient lovers, 

Yin and Yang, who dare merely flirt 

beneath the sun, dance wildly 

to surrender in impassioned embrace.

The conjurers greet

the blinding, rising sun

as spirits renewed,

winking at the hubris of the day.

lm/2013

Red Sky at Morning

The sunrise

was red and gold

this morning.

A sign to beware 

the day’s foul weather.

I read your words

this morning and

I wondered if they 

were a warning 

of stormy hours ahead.

lm 2/2013


In keeping with the "make new friends but keep the old" theme from last post, I had the most wonderful time with my old Wranch Writers who so kindly took a road trip to have a meeting here. After the usual invigorating sharing and critiquing of our work we headed to a San Clemente favorite for a hearty Italian feast.

I actually have made myself a plan for three writing projects and I think I might even DO them! Well, one of them at least. The short one! More on that later.

And, the other day I listened to As My Guitar Sadly Weeps and felt very sad to see my old gal sitting dusty and alone in the corner. I don't even think I can play anymore. But what if I could. What if I got out one of those old books and just picked around, so to speak?


Just got this page painted. Thinking the sentiment is where I am hanging out.

Here's what I'm thinking. Am I weird or do you like to look into your house from outside? It's like seeing the room for the first time, every time. I think that's because it's a metaphor for looking at myself from the outside once in awhile.
Everything looks different, I notice things I do not realize when I'm in there.
I think that's what I'm doing these days. Looking in instead of out. Interesting view!